All patients using the new World Health Organisation (WHO) self-testing kit for HIV - OraQuick - have been instructed not to take fluids at least 30 minutes before the test.
Experts warn that fluids such as mouthwash might interfere with the result, adding that the kit must not be used by people who feel nervous when taking an HIV test.
OraQuick is a single-use tool to detect antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) and Type 2 (HIV-2) in oral fluid.
It is intended for use by lay users as a self-test to aid in the diagnosis of infection with the HIV virus.
It can only be used with oral fluid and not blood, serum, breast milk, plasma, semen, urine, vaginal fluid or sweat.
All patients planning to use the kit must remove dental products that cover their gums prior to the oral fluid collection, said WHO.
The device is placed in the mouth so that the flat pad is between the cheek and the outer gums, then swabbed across the outer gum line.
It is then placed in a tube containing a premeasured amount of solution.
The fluid from the surface of the gums enters the device through the flat pad, then flows onto a test strip.
A coloured line forms in the ‘T’ (test) area of the result window if HIV antibodies are detected.
If none is detected, no line forms there. If the test is performed correctly, a line forms in the ‘C’ area of the result window.
The test takes only 20 minutes.
